Lt Gov slams Delhi Police for lapse, crackdown on protesters

Police detain a demonstrator in front of the India Gate during a protest demanding speedy justice and stringent punishment for the accused in Sunday's gang-rape. Reuters Photo

After cutting short his visit to the US, Delhi Lieutenant Governor Tejendra Khanna slammed Delhi Police on Monday for the "security lapse" and the crackdown on protesters after the brutal gangrape of a 23-year-old woman in a moving bus in south Delhi.

Talking to reporters after the meeting which was attended by Delhi Police officers including police commissioner Neeraj kumar, Khanna said the force should exercise restraint in such situations.

"Using water cannons and tear gas shells on peaceful protesters is not right," Khanna said.

He added: "The commissioner apologised... If such a situation arises in future, police should act with restriction as far as possible."

He also slammed police for letting buses with tainted glasses ply on Delhi roads and said two officers have already been suspended.

"Traffic Police and PCR vans did not fulfill their responsibility. vehicles with dark windows are banned. How was this bus ignored? Why weren't PCR vans on patrol unaware that th bus with tinted windows was plying?" he said.

He said deputy commissioners Prem Nath of Delhi Traffic Police and Satyavir Singh Katara of PCR had been asked to explain their conduct vis-a-vis failure of police to act.

Khanna also said Special Commissioner Sushil Yadav, who earlier worked with the police's women's cell, would meet representatives from women groups on the last Friday of every month and would be approachable 24x7.

Khanna said police officers would be sensitised to deal with women's complaints and would check if women cells were working properly in Delhi police stations.

"If a woman comes with a complaint, police has to register a case immediately. Women groups have also suggested some of their volunteers can act as wardens to check eve teasing in buses," hesaid.

With questions raised about his absence at a time when Delhi has been rocked by a wave of protests, Lt Governor had to cut short his visit to the US but he ruled out his resignation in the wake of the gang-rape of a girl in the Capital.

Though sources said the Lt Governor came back following a communication from the home ministry, Khanna on Monday insisted that he returned on his own considering the gravity of the situation.

"I had gone to the US to meet my daughter after taking permission from the President. The incident had taken place after I left. Nobody had given me any direction to come back. After knowing about the situation, I took the decision to come back and handle the situation. Even the home minister knows about it," the Lt Governor told reporters.

When asked whether Lt Governor has been summoned, home minister Sushilkumar Shinde only said he enquired about Khanna's whereabouts.

"I enquired where is he and was told that he was allowed to go to foreign country... I enquired and he returned. I must put the facts," the minister said.

The Delhi Police functions under the Union home ministry and the police commissioner reports to the Lt Governor as he is the administrative head of the force.

The sources said Khanna had to cut short his stay in the US following a communication from the Union home ministry in view of the volatile situation in the capital, and returned on Sunday night.

The Lt Governor said he was issuing direction to his office to take certain steps in view of the violence.

When asked whether he would consider stepping down taking responsibility for the incident, Khanna said "I do not think so."

"In my view we are being able to take corrective action because all these gestures you are talking about so and so should step down... You have to see who is the person accountable on the ground.

"Many such things keep on happening. As far as question of my stepping down or not stepping down, it is for the political masters to take a call. If they think I am doing a good job, I stay. If they think I am not doing a good job, I go," he said.

The 23-year-old woman was brutally gang-raped in a moving bus by six men Dec 16 and dumped 40 minutes later along with her male friend, who was badly beaten. She is in a critical condition in Delhi's Safdarjung Hospital.

Massive protests have been witnessed across the capital, with police resorting to baton charge, water cannons and tear gas shell on protesters at India Gate in central Delhi.

The six accused, who have been arrested, were reportedly drunk and on a joy ride in the bus. They had earlier robbed a carpenter of Rs. 7,000. When he contacted police, they failed to act.

Constables Kailash, Ashok and Sandeep at Hauz Khas police station were suspended Dec 22 for not taking action Dec 16 night when Ramadhir, who was earlier robbed by the six accused involved in the rape case, approached them.

They reportedly told Ramadhir to register his complaint the next day.

Sub-Inspector Rajeshwar, head constable Inder Pal, constables Jagmal, Pardeep and Chottelal at Connaught Place police station have also been suspended as they were absent during their duty hours when home secretary RK Singh made a surprise visit Dec 21 evening to the police station.